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Windows SBS 2011 Essentials

Say what you like about HP’s basket case consumer PC and Tablet strategy, when it comes to servers, the company’s ducks remain in a row. As proof, take a look at the 2011 HP ProLiant MicroServer, which has been announced this week.

Yesterday we brought you news of HP and Microsoft teaming up to bring Windows SBS 2011 Essentials to the HP ProLiant Microserver next month.Microsoft’s Michael Leworthy and HP’s Brad Kirby discuss the partnership in this video from Microsoft Tech-Ed and demo three new features from the platform.

HP this week announced that the HP ProLiant MicroServer will be available to purchase with Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials, delivering a low-cost, simple to manage server solution for businesses up to 25 seats. We’re also hearing a refreshed model is being prepared for release in the late Summer.

Last week, Cloudberry Labs announced the launch of a beta version of their online data backup add-in for Windows Home Server Vail. This week, they are back to announce the launch of a beta version of the add-in for Windows SBS 2011 Essentials code name Aurora.

Over in Germany, Microsoft announced early today a new edition of the Windows Server family called Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials, formerly codenamed “Breckenridge”. Based on the Windows Home Server codebase, the platform provides client and server backup features with the ability to join an existing domain in an Active Directory environment.

Whilst you may well have guessed that Redmond would integrate their BPOS application suite into the forthcoming Windows Server Aurora, this week, the company confirmed plans to do just that, via the newly announced Office 365 service.

Last week, HP announced the new ProLiant MicroServer, a small footprint, AMD-powered server for small business which we reckon is going to be a great little box for running Windows Server Aurora. As part of the company’s Coffee Coaching series, HP have published a series of interviews with consultants, business owners and resellers with hands on experience of the new server.

AMD Neo II-powered system launches HP’s new MicroServer category for small business. At a starting price of £329/£220, all it needs is a low cost server operating system to match. Could this be the hardware HP use to push Windows Server Aurora at release?

Whilst the Aurora Small Business Server beta program has been up an running for over a week now, you may not have had a chance to download and take a look at the features offered. But if you’re keen to learn more before downloading, Microsoft have published a wide range of resources to help you discover what’s new.

Following the release in June of the first add-in for Windows Home Server Vail, AWIECO WakeOnLan, the company have today released their second add-in for the platform, AWIECO RemoteLauncher. The add-in, which provides advanced administration features within the Server Dashboard, is available for both Vail Preview Refresh and Windows Server Aurora.